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November 27, 2012

Lincoln

Lincoln tells the story of President Abraham Lincoln as he tries to pass the 13th Amendment to abolish slavery. It is a very interesting historical story with excellent acting and just the right amount of humor mixed in. This is a classic historic film that tells a story about a very important time in the history of the United States. If you're looking for an action-packed thriller, this might not be the film for you. For any history buff, it is a must see! If you're in between, like me, it's worth checking out.

The highlight of Lincoln is definitely the acting. There is a lot of actual acting required. There were multiple scenes when a look or a gesture was used to convey important information and feelings. This requires strong actors who can make a statement with the slightest movement. Steven Spielberg and the casting director managed to find a plethora of actors who can REALLY act! At the forefront is Daniel Day-Lewis  as Lincoln. From the voice, to the stature, to the walk, Day-Lewis manages to bring to life every imagined picture you might have of this beloved president. Sally Field brings in some extra humor and strength as Mrs. Lincoln. The all-star cast is rounded out by David Strathairn, James Spader, and Tommy Lee Jones, to name a few. The cast as a whole did an excellent job creating the emotion of this significant time period and perfectly acted out the humor written by a group of clever writers. Among the civil war and political banter was just the right amount of humor to completely surprise the audience.  I would not be surprised if Lincoln was on the short list for acting and writing awards when awards season comes around!

While the acting and writing were expertly executed, I found myself checking the clock frequently throughout the film, the biggest no-no for any film. This is still a historically-based film, which means it isn't aiming for romance or action. This can create somewhat of a lull at times. I think Lincoln could have been improved slightly if it was shortened. The film runs about two hours and thirty minutes, which is fairly long for any film. This epic story could have been condensed slightly to keep the audience attention a little better. For this reason, I doubt there will be much buzz about the overall film for big time awards.

Even with some extra length and not quite fully keeping my attention, I would highly recommend this film. The acting is impeccable and memorable. Again, for any history buff, this is a must see. If you're not, this is probably best as a rental. Either way, find the time when you are in the right mindset to check out this fantastic movie!

For most people I'd say..... REDBOX/NETFLIX IT!!

November 19, 2012

Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 2

As a huge fan of the Twilight books I have had a slightly biased view of the films in this saga; however, I have also had very high expectations. I have felt that the films have improved greatly over the course of the series. Breaking Dawn Part 2 continues in this pattern. Even though the first few films were not winning any awards based on acting or production abilities, you cannot deny that this series has been elevated to fan-favorite blockbuster status. I am not going to say that Part 2 is going to be on the Oscar short list for next year, but it did end the series on a high note. There was some definite surprises even for those avid book readers and some great closure for those fans who have anxiously awaited the arrival of each film.

I am not going to start singing praises for Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson, but the overall acting in this film was a great improvement from where it began. I was very anxious to see how Stewart would portray her character post-transformation. Her quirkiness suited this transition perfectly. This was clearly seen in one scene where Bella tries to control her new vampire speed and perfection to act human and talk with her father. Stewart made the feelings and humor of this scene come through effortlessly. Pattinson was much less annoying since his character was no longer resisting the urge to suck his bride's blood. The two had great chemistry on screen to fully bring together the ending to this love story.

Breaking Dawn Part 2 meets expectations to bring this epic saga to an end. It have the token battle scene, plenty of romance, and some drama too. The most talked about part will probably be the surprises that come towards the end. (Sorry I'm going to keep those to myself to avoid any spoilers!) After the audience receives just a glimpse into the future for the new Edward Cullen family, the producers included a montage of all the characters from the entire series. This provided the perfect closing reminding the fans of all the characters they have loved throughout the past four years. Overall, I give two thumbs up for a fantastic ending to a blockbuster series. Many times concluding films like this do not measure up, but I think these producers did it right!

If you're a Twilight fan, this is a definite must see! If not, Redbox/Netflix it! I still think it's worth the dollar.